The Spanish defender has been out with a foot problem but Barcelona still hope he can be involved, particularly with Carles Puyol injured.

"Pique has been out of action for quite a few days," Vilanova told a news conference.

"If he had at least trained in this time we would have more information and I am not in favour of (painkilling) injections because this could give us problems further down the line.

"There is no doubt about Pique's willingness to play because he has dedicated all the hours possible to recover but we cannot fight against nature!"